Paper supporting mechanism for data printer



Get. 10, 1967 M. D. TEICHNER 3,346,872

PAPER SUPPORTING MECHANISM FOR DATA PRINTER v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Filed May 11, 1966 m\ N\ a W w mm kwm \Qw mw w n E x E z a m. w n an M m n\\ N a in l J NN m \%N m 5 I E Z a? l \m N w W \a Q 3% M m. R fig m W v i Z I.) f E M A mm... mm mRv Q \x w M ww ww M II M E a N fin IH \m AH MH 1967 M. D. TEICHNER PAPER SUPPORTING MECHANISM FOR DATA PRINTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 11, 1966 r INVENTOR. Maura ce D Tel c/mcfi United States Patent 3,346,872 PAPER SUPPORTING MECHANISM FOR DATA PRINTER Maurice D. Teichner, New Canaan, Conn., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Practical Automation, Inc., Shelton, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Filed May 11, 1966, Ser. No. 549,332 7 Claims. (Cl. 346-145) The present invention relates to an apparatus for printing a line of data and more particularly to an apparatus which accepts data in the form of electrical signals and prints, upon command, the data in readable characters.

In my copending US. patent application, Ser. No. 441,064, there is disclosed a data printing apparatus that includes a plurality of character bearing wheels. The wheels are aligned to have a common portion of each exposed and are incrementally rotated by a solenoid in response to an electrical signal. The character at the exposed portion generally changes With each incremental step and when printing is desired, a transverse width of paper drawn from a roll is pressed against the exposed characters.

While a roll of paper provides a substantial length on which many lines of data may be printed, it is frequently necessary to replenish the paper by inserting a new roll into the apparatus. Through the apparatus disclosed in my copending application enabled the replenishment, it has been found that it was relatively expensive to manufacture' and included a substantial number of parts. Moreover, it required extra operations on the part of the operator and if not performed with the necessary preciseness was apt to introduce malfunctioning into the apparatus.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a data printing apparatus that provides access to the interior of the apparatus, which is extre'rnely simple and positively operating but yet is quite economical to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a data printing apparatus in which the structure that supports the paper supply also serves to maintain the parts, that are movable to provide access, automatically tensioned in position when the apparatus is returned to its closed position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide in a data printing apparatus a new and novel interaction between the paper support and a pivotable front cover that provides for locking the cover in the open position and releasing same upon release of the paper supporting mechanism.

In the data printing apparatus in which the present invention is incorporated there is provided an enclosure that may be mounted on a suitable support panel with a frame telescopingly movable into and out of the enclosure so that the frame is respectively contained within to be protected thereby or outside to provide access to the operating parts of the apparatus. The frame includes a front cover plate that substantially abuts the support panel and which is pivotable from a closed locked position to an open position. A paper roll supply assembly is provided and is pivotally mounted within the frame to be projectable from the top of the frame when the frame is substantially out of the enclosure to enable a roll of paper to be added thereto. The paper can then be threaded through the apparatus by access through the top of the frame and through the opening in the frame provided by the front cover. The paper supporting mechanism is only capable of being positioned in its open position and releasably locked thereat when the 3,345,872 Patented Oct. 19, 1967 ice frame is open and must be returned to within the frame when the frame is telescoped into the enclosure.

In such an apparatus, the front cover, though movable, is required to be accurately positioned with respect to the frame when the apparatus is conditioned for operation and this is achieved in its closed position by cooperation between a locking lip carried by the frame and an abutment carried by the cover plate. The abutment is tensioned against the locking lip by means of a lever arrangement to which a force is applied by a portion of the paper roll support assembly. This force is obtained by the paper roll support assembly normally having the portion project slightly above the top of the frame. However, this portion is resiliently displaced when the frame is within the enclosure by it engaging the interior of the enclosure and the force is transmitted to the cover plate to maintain it in accurate relationship with the frame. As the paper roll support assembly must be positioned within the frame prior to moving the frame into the enclosure, the act of so moving the frame automatically effects tensioning of the front cover plate.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a side view, partly in section, of the data printing apparatus of the present invention with the frame partially within the enclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the frame removed from the enclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view similar to FIG. 1 with the frame being substantially removed from the enclosure and with the parts being positioned to enable access to the interior of the frame.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and is shown mounted in an opening 11 of a support panel 12 by means of angles 13. The angles support an elongate enclosure 14 that is basically a box having an open front and a back 15 on which are mounted electrical terminals 16 to which connections may be made. The enclosure has a substantially constant rectangular cross-section and receives a frame 17 that includes a pair of side Walls 18 and 19, a front cover panel 20 and a rear wall 21. The frame is open at the top and bottom and the parts are dimensioned to enable the frame to be closely telescopingly received into the enclosure 14 until the cover panel 20 substantially abuts the front surface of the support panel 12.

The data printer, as more fully described in my abovenoted copending application, includes a plurality of printing units 22 accurately positioned in a compartment 23 secured on the front cover with each of the printing units including a data printing Wheel 24 formed with peripheral characters. The compartment 23 further has secured thereto an incrementally advancing ink ribbon assembly 25 which guides a length of an ink ribbon 26 beneath the exposed portions of the wheels 24-. A printing hammer 27 is mounted for pivotal movement on a pivot pin 28 that extends between the walls 18 and 19 With the pivotal movement of the hammer 27 causing a ratchet wheel 29 to be incrementally rotated to advance a strip of paper 30 positioned between the wheel and a surface 31 of the compartment. The paper 31) also extends between the hammer 27 and the ink ribbon so that clockwise movement of the hammer strikes the paper against the ribbon which in turn causes the exposed characters of the printing wheels to be printed on the paper. Energization of the printing hammer is produced by a solenoid 32 which reacts upon receipt of an appropriate electrical signal.

The front cover panel 20 carrying the compartment and the ink ribbon assembly is mounted for pivotal movement from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 3. The FIG. 1 position is the normal operating position while the FIG. 3 position permits access to the interior of the frame for replacing the ribbon 26, threading the strip of paper 30 from a new roll of paper 33, or other changes which may be desired to be made and for which access is required. The front cover includes a handle 34 for facilitating the movement. In the normal operating position the front cover is required to be accurately located and locked in a position which assures precise alignment between the parts carried by it and the other parts secured within the frame. This is achieved by a cooperative aligning means that includes an elongate lip 35 against which is abutted a linear edge 36 of an opening 37 formed in the cover panel 20 and through which the paper 30 issues. By forcing the lip and edge together, a sufficiently accurate alignment may be maintained.

In order to pivot the front cover, tension between the parts 35 and 36 is removed when the frame is substantially out of the enclosure, such as shown in FIG. 3, and upon this occurring, as will be hereinafter appreciated, the user may grasp the handle 34 of the cover panel, pivot it slightly to disengage the elements 35 and 36, slide the cover vertically upwardly and then pivot the same. These movements are controlled by a reverse J-shaped slot 38 formed in a pair of plates 39 that are secured on either side of the compartment 23 and each of which cooperates with a pair of pins 40 fastened to the appropriate sides 18 and 19 of the frame. To close the cover panel, the user reverses the above procedure and before positioning the frame within the enclosure, the elements 35 and 36 will somewhat abut. However, when the frame is telescoped into the enclosure the parts 35 and 36 will be tensioned against each other thereby assuring proper positioning of the front cover and its associated mechanism.

The automatic tensioning for the front cover 20 is designed to be operated by the support for the roll of paper 33. To this end, there is secured on each side of the compartment 23, a pin 41 which is cooperatively received within a cutout 42 formed in a lever 43 that is pivoted as at 44. It will be understood that there is an identical lever 43 for each side of the frame and that each is pivoted at its adjacent side of the frame. Each lever 43 includes a slightly inwardly offset arm 45 formed with an aperture 46 which cooperates with a pin 47. The pin 47 is movable within the aperture and is carried by one side of an end plate 48. There is an additional end plate 48' of similar shape and both end plates are mounted in spaced, parallel relation for pivotal movement on a shaft 49 that extends therebetween. It will be appreciated that the other end plate 48' also carries a pin 47 that cooperates with its associated lever 43. The end plates 48 and 48 are maintained in spaced apart relation by a pair of spacers 50 and 51. The end plates 48 and 48 each have a hole 52 through which a removable shaft 53 may extend and on which the roll of paper 33 may be supported for rotational movement.

The spacer 51 carries a pair of rollers 54 which may be of resilient material, such as rubber. In the position of the parts with the frame at least within the enclosure, as shown in FIG. 1, the rollers 54 engage the interior of the enclosure 14. The engagement causes the rollers, which would if not engaging the enclosure assume a position indicated by the dotted position 54', to assume the solid line position shown. The displacement of the rollers accordingly exerts a pivotal movement on the end plates 48 which produces a clockwise movement of the pins 47 and 47' about the shaft 49. Such a movement also causes a clockwise movement of the lever 43 about the pivot 44 and as such, forces the cutout 42 upwardly against the pins 41 to provide an upward force on the compartment and hence the front cover panel 20. This force causes the locking parts 35 and 36 to be forced and tensioned against each other thereby maintaining them accurately positioned with respect to each other.

It will be appreciated that with rollers 54 being formed of resilient rubber together with the levers 43 being formed of relatively thin sheet metal, whatever displacement of the rollers 54 caused by the enclosure that is not translated into vertical movement of the front cover, is utilized to distort these parts to provide a continuous tension on the cover panel 20. Whenever the rollers 54 engage the enclosure it will thus be appreciated that the front cover panel 20 is locked and tensioned into position.

To release the front cover and to enable replenishment of the roll of paper 33, it is required that the frame be withdrawn from the enclosure to a position where the rollers 54 are free of the enclosure, such as shown in FIG. 3, where they assume a position shown by the arc 54a. The tension on the front cover is thus removed and a user may pivot it to the open position shown in FIG. 3. Upon the cover reaching its open position the user may then grasp the spacer 51 and pivot the paper assembly about the shaft 49. The paper assembly is automatically locked in this position by means of a pin 55 outwardly urged by a spring 56 carried within the spacer 50 with the pin engaging the top edge of the plate 18. The pin 55 thus serves to maintain the paper assembly in open position.

In addition, the open position of the paper assembly serves to lock the front cover in its open position by each end plate 48 and 48 being formed with a cutout 57 that engages the upper edge of the cover panel 20. The user may then perform the desired operation on the apparatus, such as the replenishment of paper, and upon the completion thereof the user presses the pin 55 inwardly to cause the paper assembly to fall to its normal position within the frame wherein the roller 54 assumes the position shown by the arc 54a. The user may then pivot the front cover to its normal closed position. When the frame is then forced within the enclosure, it will be appreciated that the rollers 54 will engage the frame and as such automatically provide the necessary tension on the front cover to maintain it in position.

It will accordingly be appreciated that there has been disclosed a data printing apparatus having a frame that is telescopically movable with respect to a stationary enclosure. The frame has a pivoted front cover and a pivoted paper support assembly which enable a user to have access to the part carried thereby for performing most frequently occurring operations. The front cover is not only maintained locked in an accurate location when in its normal position but is also tensioned to maintain such a position when the paper assembly is in its normal position and the frame is within the enclosure. The tensioning is achieved by the paper assembly being interconnected with the front cover in such a manner that when its parts are resiliently distorted by engagement with the enclosure, the distortion is translated into the locking tensioning force on the front cover.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used Without others.

I claim:

1. A data printing apparatus comprising an enclosure, a frame supported in the enclosure for movement between an accessible position substantially out of the enclosure and a normal position substantially within the enclosure, a cover plate mounted on the frame for movement with respect thereto, cooperative releasable aligning means carried by the frame and cover plate for positioning said cover plate with respect to the frame, a paper supporting assembly mounted on said frame for movement substantially out of and into said frame and including a part of the paper supporting assembly positioned to be engaged by said enclosure, said part being displaced thereby when the frame is in the enclosure and means cooperatively interconnectting said engaging means and said cover plate for urging the cover plate to an aligned position by the displacement of the engaging means.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the cooperating aligning means includes an elongate lip and an elongate abutment and the last-named means urges one against the other.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the part carried by the paper support assembly is resilient and in which the last-named interconnection is resilient, said part being displaced a distance to resiliently distort said part and interconnecting means.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 in which said interconnecting means includes a lever formed of resilient material, said lever having one arm cooperatively associated with the front cover and another arm interconnected with the paper support assembly.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the cover plate is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the telescoping movement of the frame with respect to the enclosure, the paper assembly is mounted for pivotal movement about a parallel axis and cooperating locking means carried by the cover plate and the paper assembly for interconnecting them at their positions out of the frame to maintain them in said out-ofthe-frame position.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 in which there are means for automatically releasably locking the paper assembly when it attains its out-of-the-frame position.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 in which the automatic releasable locking means includes a pin forming part of the paper assembly, spring means for urging the pin outwardly and frame means adapted to be engaged by the pin at its position of outward movement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,139,320 6/1964 Johnson 346145 3,192,534 6/1965 Blakeslee et al 346145 3,270,350 8/1966 Brandt et a1. 346145 X RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

JOSEPH W. HARTARY, Assistant Examiner, 

1. A DATA PRINTING APPARATUS COMPRISING AN ENCLOSURE, A FRAME SUPPORTED IN THE ENCLOSURE FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN ACCESSIBLE POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY OUT OF THE ENCLOSURE AND A NORMAL POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE, A COVER PLATE MOUNTED ON THE FRAME FOR MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO, COOPERATIVE RELEASABLE ALIGNING MEANS CARRIED BY THE FRAME AND COVER PLATE FOR POSITIONING SAID COVER PLATE WITH RESPECT TO THE FRAME, A PAPER SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, FOR MOVEMENT SUBSTANTIALLY OUT OF AND INTO SAID FRAME AND INCLUDING A PART OF THE PAPER SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY POSITIONED TO BE ENGAGED BY SAID ENCLOSURE, SAID PART BEING DISPPLACED THEREBY WHEN THE FRAME IS IN THE ENCLOSURE AND MEANS COOPERATIVELY INTERCONNECTING SAID ENGAGING MEANS AND SAID COVER PLATE FOR URGING THE COVER PLATE TO AN ALIGNED POSITION BY THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE ENGAGING MEANS. 